Exchanging Equipment While Leveling

So my question is how often are you guys changing equipment while leveling? Currently I'm just leveling and using whatever equipment drops that I like. Are you guys actively looking for equipment throughout the process of leveling or just waiting until level 80 then start looking more into equipment?

On a side note, with the current updates to dungeons and what not are dungeons still viable as a decent source of xp for leveling? and if so should what are some recommendations for armor geared toward survivability

I've leveled up two characters so far to 80. The first one I simply used whatever dropped and hit level 80 with 8 gold on him. The second one I bought cheap greens through the TP every 10 levels and hit 80 with 6 gold on him.

My first character had more money, my second character had an easier time leveling.

I went to level 30 just on drops and mission rewards. Afterwards, I obtained new equipment about every 10 levels. I bought greens because they're cheap, though not as cheap as blues, but you don't want to gimp yourself, so greens are good for leveling.

My 1st 80 I used new gear every 10 levels or so. I used greens 30 until 70, then yellow set at 70 styed with me till I upgraded to 80 exotics. I always used the highest level and best quality weapon I could find. That I splurged for.

With my alts I make my own equipment frm all the junk that I've collected from 1st character's progression, and thiers...so can have full sets every 5-10 levels without spending almost anything.

Most if not all greens <70ish sell for a few copper over vendor cost. Buy > Wear > Upgrade > Vendor Old Stuff..... Just keep checking the TP and upgrade every 5-10 levels with cheap greens and sell the used stuff back to vendor.

I used drops up till 20, then get cheap greens from the TP every 10 or so. If there's a karma item that's nice, I might get that - especially jewelry or signets, but saving those points up for 80.

If I have to decide priority of upgrades, I try and upgrade weapons first. What's dropping with quests and events seems to be just fine so far for the content I'm doing - but I'm playing fairly casually this time around.

I often go for blues from TP, they almost always sell for one copper over vendorprice making changing weapons every 5 levels only cost you 16 copper per weapon up to lvl 80. I also use things I find and like, but waiting for a good green/yellow often leaves you with weaker armor for longer than just upgrading from the TP.

I dont spend karma on anything, the only exception I would make is cooking equipment. If I have enough karma I will start looking for my perfect armor combination and not have to farm for it as long.

Also while in events and especially event chains I often sell the whites, blues and greens I find on the TP to clear my inventory, if they sell you only lose out on 15%(?) of your gains while being able to continue playing. This also gives other players more weapons to choose from in the TP. Items that dont sell get removed en vendored afterwards.

Yep, from my first alt onwards (i.e., once the TP was up and I'd seen how it worked) I just use the 'free' gear you can get and change it every 3-4 levels. I'll take Masterwork if it is available for close to vendor price and Fine if not (what's available differs greatly based on level range and armor class - low level Scholars have a hard time while my Ranger had no issues at all.)

Most if not all greens <70ish sell for a few copper over vendor cost. Buy > Wear > Upgrade > Vendor Old Stuff..... Just keep checking the TP and upgrade every 5-10 levels with cheap greens and sell the used stuff back to vendor.

This. Every once in a while, I'll splurge on a good rare weapon if I can find one cheap. For the most part, I upgrade armor through upgrades alone and only go to the trading post for weapons, but if I have a certain piece of armor that's really outdated, I'll replace it with a green.

I equip most stuff that I get which is usable and an upgrade, but if it's something like a rare great sword I'll sell it since the large profit offsets the small difference in using a green instead.